Yemeni Friends

I am married to a Yemeni man so most of the people we meet are Yemeni. Occasionally I may meet a Jordanian or Palestinian woman who happens to be married to a Yemeni man. I think this is because Arab cultures are different from country to country. Therefore, Yemeni people are probably most comfortable with others from Yemen.

I have a few Yemeni friends that I get the privilege to visit with from time to time. Not nearly as much as I would like to. But when I do, I am constantly enamored with them. They are beyond hospitable and make me and my kids feel like the most special people.

Never do you ask for anything to drink. Before you know it there will be a cup of tea or a glass of juice or a bottle of water right in front of your eyes. If you are feeling a little peakish, dont worry, because there will surely be a snack in front of your eyes the next time you blink. If you are tired and wanta rest, they are more than willing to offer you a bed to go in and have a nap.

Upon your arrival or shortly thereafter you will have a feast ready for you to enjoy. Tradtional Yemeni dishes that are the best when made authentic. Not to mention the breads that are freshly baked. Who knew you could spell YUM in so many different ways?

Sitting and chatting and snacking and laughing is so peaceful. Even among the chaos that the children are creating. The time always flies by so fast and I am saddened to see our visit come to an end because I know that it will be a while before we enjoy one another's company again.

But let me not forget to mention that I never leave their house empty-handed. I cant recall a time that I left without having at least a fresh bread to be able to come home and enjoy with a cup of tea.

Recently I befriended 2 sisters who happen to be Yemeni as well. And they have further made my opinion of Yemeni people grow. One of them is so sweet that she even mailed me a package of things that came from Yemen. So special because we havent known each other for that long but she was so generous and shared the things that she had. MashaAllah.

While I have never visited Yemen. I may never be able to lay eyes on the beautiful mountains. Or smell the air from the sea in Aden. Or enjoy country life in the village. I still feel like I have found the best that Yemen has to offer. Because after your eyes have seen the mountains and your nose has smelled the air of Aden and your body has relaxed from the peaceful village life, what is left? Only the love and joy and comfort you find amongst really good friends. MashaAllah wa Alhamdulila.

bOoKwOrM

I am an avid reader. I love love love it. It is probably my favorite pastime. I remember being a teen holed up in my room reading away. I enjoy the story. I enjoy thinking "what if" that were really so? There is nothing that can take me away from my books. Ahhh, pure bliss.

Some of my favorite authors are Pearl S. Buck, Maeve Binchy, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Lisa See and Jennifer Weiner. And while I am not a huge fan of mystery or suspense stories, I do occasionally read Mary Higgins Clark. I think she is a wonderful writer. I have actually read two books by her that were not suspense. Mount Vernon Love Story about George and Martha Washington and Kitchen Privileges. The latter is mostly about her life as she became the "Queen of Suspense". Both very good reads.

In all honesty, it is very hard to give me a book that I wont enjoy. So long as it is in the realm of things that I like. But, who knows, if I branched out and read something that I typically wouldnt read, I might like that as well. Hmmmm, do I sense a goal in the works? Goal: Read a book that you would not normally be interested in.

I recently read a book my dear friend Kathryn loaned me. It is titled Unpredictable by Eileen Cook. I must admit that it was a wonderful read. Funny and romantic and an oh so chic book. Totally worth the couple of dollars she paid for it in the bargain bin.

Confession time. I have to read the ending of the book shortly after beginning the book. I know. I know. Technically that makes me a cheater cheater pumpkin eater. But I cant stand the wait. Must. Know. What. Happens. Never fear, it does not spoil anything. I just continue reading the book but can sigh knowing that I know what is coming for the characters before they know. Hahaha.

Now that I have children I read to them and hope that my love for reading will be passed on to them. I think it is important to read and to read to your kids and encourage them to read. Reading opens many doors. Read! Read! Read! Reading is FUNdamental!!!!

Recipe: Berry Purple Milk

Berry Purple Milk

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat on

* 1 pint each raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
*sugar to your taste
*lemon zest to your taste
*juice of 1/2 lemon
*water to just cover berries

Once this has reduced, cool and put through a strainer to remove seeds. This is a berry sauce that can be used on anything like cakes, pies, ice cream, by itself (lol).

Pour some of the sauce into a cup and then pour milk in. Stir and add more sauce if needed to obtain the purple color.

I thought it was lip-smackin good. Especially with a shortbread cookie. Yum. Hope ya like it.

PS-- I did add a cinnamon stick into mine along with 2 cloves and 2 green cardamom pods because I was mainly making mine for a sauce to go in my yogurt. So throw those in if your kids might like it.


Also play with it any way that you like. This is very versatile. Bon appetit!

Autism

So I would like to touch a little on autism in this "episode".

I tend to think that this is one of those things that people hear about but never really think it can or will happen to their child. You hear the statistics of 1 in 91 children are affected by it and think to yourself "aww, how sad", proceed with your day without another thought of autism until you hear something about it on the news or hear about someone's child being diagnosed.

Then you get pregnant and spend your whole pregnancy planning all of the things you will say to your baby. And all of the things that you will teach him or her and all of the conversations you just cant wait to have. Planning. Dreaming. Wishing. Loving. No bad thought shall overtake or overshadow the jovial spirit you have when you think of the new life you are about to embark on.

Baby is born. Life is sweet. Nothing is comparable to the warmth you feel in your heart for this little person that is a perfect combination of you and your husband. You read and read and study all of the milestones that he is reaching and you are over the moon that one day soon he shall be saying "Momma! Momma! Momma!". You dream of days filled with hide and seek and read stories and listen to the things that his imagination sparks.

Somehow that day seems to be late. Almost like...the bus skipped your house and you missed your ride. You wait and wait thinking that surely it's gonna turn around and come back to get you. But deep down you know that it's not coming.

End scene. Enter real life.

This is my life. This is real. This is reality. And yes, autism can happen to your child. My son has yet to be formally diagnosed. But sometimes you dont need a doctor to tell you what you already know. Nonetheless, inshaAllah he will get in by the time he turns 6 in July so that we can have a diagnosis for "confirmation" purposes only.

I recognized that something was wrong. Something was amiss with my baby boy. Physically he was right on cue. Developmentally... not so much. So he was able to go to speech therapy and he was able to enter into a pre-k program offered at our public school. And has made leaps and bounds over the expectations I had. MashaAllah wa Alhamdulila.

Those games I wanted to play, we play. Just with a twist. Stories are read and conversations are a bit one-sided but they are there. I know he's listening. I know he can hear. Perhaps, he cant understand what I am saying. Perhaps he can. The main thing is that he is hugged and hugged and kissed many times a day. I know he knows that I love him. While he may not know what love is, he can feel it. He is active. He is wonderful. He is happy. He is my baby boy and I still feel the warmth when I look at him and realize he is the perfect combination of me and my husband.

He is Malik. He is 5. He is autism.

Be proactive. Pay attention to the signs. Get your child tested. While you may not want to hear the diagnosis, your child needs you to do it. Be strong. Be patient. Through these special beings are surely blessings from Allah.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/ http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=art_exhibit

Until next time.....